While that only represents a cost savings of tens of dollars, when we’re talking about phone hardware that’s supposed to attract even the most budget-conscious shopper, just that little bit can make a big difference. Microsoft may not profit directly from the sales of these devices, but it still stands to get its cut from app sales, and really anything it can do to grow the Windows Phone user base is going to help bring the platform to a more prominent place, which can only serve to help improve Microsoft’s smartphone position.